45 and 46. Lieut.-Commander KEN-WORTHYasked the Prime Minister (1) whether he is prepared to lay all the facts before the House of Commons and to give an opportunity for a discussion before committing the country to fresh military operations in Asia Minor;
(2) whether his attention has been drawn to the disquiet and apprehension still existing in India among Moslems on account of the continued reports to the effect that portions of the 2016 former Turkish Empire inhabited by a majority of Turks are to be placed under alien rule; and when he proposes to make a statement in the House of Commons on the Turkish Question other than that aspect of it dealing with Constantinople?
§ Mr. BONAR LAW (Leader of the House)These questions were very fully discussed in Debate on the 26th of February last, and I cannot at present add anything to what was said on that occasion.
§ Lieut. - Commander KENWORTHYCan the right hon. Gentleman give an assurance that this House will have an opportunity of discussing the subject before military operations, large or small, are commenced?
§ Mr. BONAR LAWWe have no intention whatever of engaging in any military operations, but circumstances might arise which might make it necessary to do so, and it would be quite impossible to discuss it here.
§ Lieut.-Commander KENWORTHYWill the House then be informed at the earliest possible moment?
§ Mr. BONAR LAWMost certainly it will. But the hon. and gallant Gentleman is quite mistaken if he thinks that we contemplate any use of force at this moment.
Sir J. D. REESIs the right hon. Gentleman aware that the Indian aspect of this highly important question has not really received much attention in this House, and that Mahomedans, who are a very large proportion of the subjects of the King, really feel most acutely about it?
§ Mr. BONAR LAWYes, I quite realise that. But the hon. Member is mistaken in saying that this was not considered by the House. A very large part of the Debate was taken up in dealing with this very aspect of the case.
Sir J. D. REESIs the right hon. Gentleman aware that that portion of the Debate did not include the Members who have had practical experience of Mahomedans and of India?
§ Mr. BONAR LAWI cannot remember the names of all those who took part in the Debate, but the subject was certainly very fully discussed.